Toss a paper cup into the air 100 times. After each toss record whether the cup lands on its bottom, upside down on its top or on its side. Assign the probabilities to the outcomes by using experimental probability.

SOLUTION

Identify the possible outcomes

When a paper cup is tossed, it can land in three ways:
(i) on its bottom
(ii) upside down on its top
(iii) on its side

Record the experimental results

Suppose after tossing the cup 100 times, the following results were obtained:

Outcome	Number of Times
Bottom	45
Top	20
Side	35
Total	100

Recall the experimental probability formula

\(P(E) = \frac{Number\, of\, times\, the\, event\, occurs}{Total\, number\, of\, trials}\)

Find the probability for each outcome

(i) Probability of landing on the bottom
\(P(Bottom) = \frac{45}{100} = 0.45\)

(i) Probability of landing upside down on its top
\(P(Top) = \frac{20}{100} = 0.20\)

(i) Probability of landing on the side
\(P(Side) = \frac{35}{100} = 0.35\)

Concept Note

Experimental probability is based on actual experiments or observations. It is calculated using
\(Experimental Probability = \frac{Number\, of\, times\, the\, event\, occurs}{Total\, trials}\)
The total probability of all outcomes together should be equal to \(1\).